The Transformation Factor: Leading Your Company for Good, for God, and for Growth

by J. Frank Harrison III

Culture Is Everything 

​A good leader builds and establishes a company culture people want to be a part of. A transformational leader elevates that, cultivating a culture in which everyone—throughout the organization—is empowered to use their talents to live and work at their best. As the chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States, J. Frank Harrison III knows firsthand the importance of not only prioritizing culture but also living out and modeling the values that drive it. He believes every person in an organization matters and how they are led matters just as much. In The Transformation Factor: Leading Your Company for Good, for God, and for Growth, Harrison profiles his company and his own personal journey to show you the radical transformation and amazing ripple effects that come from a purpose-driven, people-focused culture and a leadership style that centers on serving others.

With a company that employs over sixteen thousand people, Harrison understands that real culture transformation takes great effort, intention, and courage and also humility and generosity. His book is about teaching leaders how to engage in meaningful work with people, inspire a culture of genuine care, and mobilize everyone around a purpose that not only transcends the everyday work they do but also informs it. Harrison integrates faith with work and demonstrates a revolutionary approach to leadership, modeled after the heart of God. 

The Transformation Factor shows us what it takes to commit to and invest in people, helping them recognize their fullest potential, and how to transform any environment into a place of vitality, growth, and purpose. With clarity and honesty, Harrison speaks from his experience as a leader to offer us a new way to look at people, culture, business, and success.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Christian

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2022

Reviews

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am not in charge of leading a company, leadership skills are still something I research to learn about. I thought this was a good set of skills that helped show that people matter over profits, the atmosphere you create in the workplace matters to the success of the company, and quite honestly, I think this is the first time I've ever read of one of the leadership skills is making sure you take care of your own self as well. Overall, great information and helpful in plotting a path towards success.
*I won this on Goodreads Giveaway. My opinions are my own*

[Sena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars. Made some good points about the importance of purpose, mission, and vision, but nothing too revolutionary. Most thought-provoking was the idea of servant leadership and how exponentially new leaders could be created through mentorship.

I'd expected this to be more of a story about Coca-Cola Consolidated and how it transformed over the years, but there wasn't as much on the subject as I would've liked. Without specific milestones or events to tie them to, the advice came off as being a bit generic at times.

Finally, the religious overtones were heavy throughout, but I appreciated the unique perspective they put on the over-discussed topic of business leadership.

I received an ARC of the audiobook edition in exchange for an an honest review.

[Scott Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harrison lays out his family’s experience and the corporate values in a compelling manner. Just how well it can be replicated is another manner. Not many corporations have avoided any scandal or taint and consistently grow in proportion to the population. To claim the success is due to their workplace culture and espousing of Christian faith is at best correlation not causation. How many other company leaders have worked just as much on culture and honoring God and had plateaued revenues and profits or worse?

What is most helpful is addressing chaplaincy and some legal concerns.

[Kelley Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

What’s your purpose? People over profit. Bringing folks together under a common goal and bettering communities. All great values that any individual and corporation should have.

This book reminded me that I should reflect on how I’m contributing to the betterment of those around me and what I’m doing that feeds my soul. A little heavy on the religious rhetoric but still good messaging.

This is my honest opinion in exchange for a Goodreads giveaway win.

[Lori Beekman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lead with courage and integrity

Even though I am not a CEO, this book provides great leadership information for all. The ideas can be applied to any organization and anhh level of employee.

[Carrollynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a good read

I enjoyed reading this book. Lots of great points, all pointing to Gods blueprint for your and my life. I've highlighted and made notes. Definitely a book to reread and keep for reference.

[Melinda Torrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have not read as many biz books this year as I normally do. This was impactful and simple messages that I needed to hear. Today everyone wants to be a leader. The question is do they know what that requires? This book was affirming.

[Jason Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frank Harrison III is the CEO of a second-generation Coca-Cola distributorship--one of the largest in the country.

In this book, he describes how he exercises his faith in leading a company, the dos, don'ts, misconceptions. It's a good book about servant leadership and stewardship.

[Caleb Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned what a leader looks like, but really enjoyed how easy the read was, Frank is a good storyteller.

Nothing earth shattering here but the faith of CCC shown through this book, and the benefits they received was cool to see. Got me thinking about my job and how I want to lead

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read start to finish in 2 hours, great read!

[Andrew Forney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lessons, but the real heart of this story and what really got to me was the author ending by talking about the leader who inspired him the most was his son who had passed away 10 years prior 🥺

[Gideon Carvalho · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Transformation Factor may not leave you transformed after you're done.
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There are tiny golden nuggets making it worth a quick read. Lacks the extraordinaire, which is shocking considering Frank is the CEO of Coca-Cola Consolidated. Frank's general advice is fine but quite underwhelming coming from his position. Maybe it's just me as I expected more. Fostering corporate culture today has become increasingly difficult but Frank makes it seem like it's easy, too easy in fact. Maybe the pacing of his timelines made it feel that way. Frank will agree that good culture takes time to nurture. Then a couple sentences in he shares a story where things just fall into place so prompt & perfectly. Leaving the impression that failure is foreign to him, and success is all there is in life. Some may find the overemphasis on the Bible daunting but there's value if the 'faith speak' doesn't deter you. The few pages on his son were the high points of the book - I loved these parts. Frank comes alive there with a surprise entry from his wife too. If this is your first book on corporate culture reforms... It may inspire & introduce you to themes that can be built upon by other readings. I recommend it to a very select crowd so tame your expectations with this one.

[Susan, aka Pooh Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review pending.

[Monica Tupper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of The Transformation Factor for an honest review. I was surprised that this book was a good mix of memoir, leadership and religion. The author is the owner of one of the largest southern Coca Cola distribution companies. He spends some time talking about how his family came to own this company and his adventures to the top. One of the key things he focuses on was how to improve your company through strengthening its employees faith. Frank says “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” I love this quote and I truly believe in it. I do not have a company, but I have a classroom so his insight was very helpful to me. All good classrooms start with culture, you can plan and plan, but if your students do not feel cared for and listened to, they will not do the work. Frank gives wonderful advice for both enriching the lives of his workers and himself. He tells us to “Live your life on purpose”, don’t sit on the sidelines and wait for things to happen to you, but make them happen. The Transformation Factor was a good read and gave me a new appreciation for the Coca Cola company!

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received from the publisher for an honest review.

I am impressed. It was a little meandering and a part of it seemed completely out of place but I was impressed by how well written this one was. It really was like you were sitting down for a conversation with him. I would definitely recommend this to newbies to reading about leadership. As an avid reader of self development/leadership books, the concepts in here were nothing new, however, there were some great reminders in here and I loved the Christian perspective.

Real score of 3.5 - (3. I enjoyed it. 4. I loved it.) It was somewhere in between for me.